Like many related species, adult moths have chemical defenses acquired from its host plants, in this case, alkaloids.

[2][3] Larval behaviors suggest that they are chemically protected; they have not been analyzed for alkaloid content.

This moth is found in North America from southern Canada south through Texas and central Florida.

Extra long hair-pencils of white, black, and/or orange occur at both the front and rear of a caterpillar.

[7] Larvae are known to feed on some species of alder, ash, birch, blueberry, chestnut, elm, grape, hackberry, hazel, oak, walnut, willow, and many others.